Who We Are.
An experienced team dedicated to capturing great stories with authenticity and quality.
Showcasing the Story Since 1981.
Churchill Press is an independent boutique publisher of engaging pictorial books on business, sport and place. Our own story began back in 1981, when Phil Bonser set up a small publishing house on Churchill Avenue in Subiaco.
Churchill Press is an independent boutique publisher of engaging pictorial books on business, sport and place. Our own story began back in 1981, when Phil Bonser set up a small publishing house on Churchill Avenue in Subiaco.
Combining his passion for Australian history with research and presentation skills honed in his architectural studies, Phil’s first books documented historic properties in Western Australia and New South Wales. Subjects for publishing soon expanded into tourism, food and wine, sporting events and corporate histories.
Phil has cultivated an experienced team of writers, designers, editors and photographers, as well as strong connections with partners in the printing industry. Over four decades, we have maintained a commitment to presenting important stories in an appealing and accessible format through concise narratives, evocative imagery and contemporary design.
Our Purpose.
Connecting
with People.
We love hearing extraordinary stories – and, after more than 40 years, we’ve developed a keen sense for them. Whether the subject is business, sport or place, it’s in our inquisitive nature to immerse ourselves. We ask the right questions, listen carefully and dig deeper to unearth authentic narratives that deserve to be told.
Innovating
in Storytelling.
We challenge ourselves to present stories in thoughtful and insightful ways. Churchill Press books take a different perspective, capturing the essence of what makes the subject special. Our ability to distil personality onto a page sets our work apart, communicating through a blend of concise narratives, evocative imagery and contemporary design.
Honouring
the Subject.
Tactile and enduring, coffee table books offer unique value in a world of instant information and crowded communication. We are driven to use this medium to give due regard to the people, businesses and places we document by crafting premium quality productions with no shortcuts. Stories are meant to be shared, and our books preserve and present them in an authentic and engaging way – for now, and for future generations.
Our Process.
1. Research & Discovery
We start every book project with a thorough research phase. For business histories, our discovery sessions with client leaders scope the company’s timeline of key events and plan out the sourcing of content. We then conduct one-on-one interviews with senior personnel and valued long-term staff to inform the framework of the story, and gather all available historical and visual material.
2. Writing & Editing
A cornerstone of all Churchill Press productions is succinct and engaging text. Our books are written in an accessible style suited to casual ‘dip-in’ reading – essentially, collections of short stories. When it comes to corporate histories, the text must also reflect an appropriate tone-of-voice for the business. We have a rigorous editorial and proofreading process, and engage with clients and stakeholders at every draft as the project evolves.
3. Photography & Curation
Photos and images are vital ingredients for a coffee table book, captivating the eye and drawing the reader into the story. We collaborate with experienced photographers to capture businesses, sporting events, places and people in unique and imaginative ways. For projects with a historical component, we help clients and stakeholders in selecting the best visual content – from black-and-white film and colour slides to printed artefacts and contemporary digital images. We then restore damaged pictures to present them in their best light.
4. Design
At Churchill Press, every book we publish is uniquely crafted to reflect its subject, purpose and audience – no templates here. Research informs all aspects of a project’s look and feel, with consideration of history, branding, imagery and text content. This ensures we capture the personality of the business, sport or place to present it appropriately through layout, typography, colour, photo treatment and graphics. We strive to create a cohesive visual narrative that not only complements the story but also enhances the reader’s experience.
5. Print Production
We have long-established associations with local and international printers, who recognise our requirements for the highest levels of printing and are prepared to go the extra mile for us. They value the quality of work that we present and respect the standards we demand. We pay very close attention to the details of finishing, from paper stock and binding to foiling, debossing and customised packaging when required.
The Stories We’ve Showcased.
Over more than four decades, Churchill Press has been privileged to work with many great people – from businesses started by humble migrant families, to publicly listed corporations, to companies in the resources and agricultural industries.
We’ve partnered with wineries, sporting bodies, municipal authorities and iconic institutions; and we’ve been engaged to document significant properties, private art collections, vintage car museums and even racing yachts.
Below are just some of those who have trusted us to showcase their story:
Over more than four decades, Churchill Press has been privileged to work with many great people – from businesses started by humble migrant families, to publicly listed corporations, to companies in the resources and agricultural industries.
We’ve partnered with wineries, sporting bodies, municipal authorities and iconic institutions; and we’ve been engaged to document significant properties, private art collections, vintage car museums and even racing yachts.
Below are just some of those who have trusted us to showcase their story:
- Adelaide Zoo
- Alcoa of Australia
- Armadale Redevelopment Authority
- Australia Post
- Australian City Properties
- Bradman Foundation & Museum
- CBH Group
- Chas Kelly Transport
- Coogee Chemicals
- Cowden Limited
- Freo Group
- Great Southern Development Commission
- Great Victoria Gold
- Hawaiian Group
- Holman Industries
- Houghton Wines
- J C Smale
- Jackson McDonald
- Joondalup Resort & Country Club
- Linneys Jewellery
- Lord McAlpine of West Green
- MACA
- Midland Redevelopment Authority
- Monadelphous
- Nardlah Grazing Company
- Narrakine
- National ANZAC Centre
- Oak Valley Truffles
- Pacific Industrial Company
- Packer Residence
- PGA of Australia
- Piacentini & Son
- Pivot Group
- Robert Trent Jones II
- Sail & Anchor Hotel
- SCEE
- SMS Group Services
- SOCOG (Sydney 2000)
- Spotless
- St John Ambulance of WA
- Technip
- Watershed Premium Wines
- Western Australian Cricket Association
- York Motor Museum
Frequently Asked Questions.
We know that creating a book is a unique exercise, and you probably have some questions. Below are some of the more common ones we get – if you want to ask us anything else, get in touch!
We know that creating a book is a unique exercise, and you probably have some questions. Below are some of the more common ones we get – if you want to ask us anything else, get in touch!
Why should we have a book on our business’s history?
A custom history book offers a tangible reflection of your company’s journey, achievements, people and legacy in an engaging and lasting medium.
It captures recollections from important figures for future generations, consolidating key information and preserving precious photographs.
It identifies your business’s unique DNA, articulating the foundations of your success and internal culture.
It also serves as an authentic marketing tool and provides engaging content for websites and social media, enhancing your business’s broader presence.
How long does a project take, and will this take up much of our time?
Timeframes vary due to a variety of factors – from page count to breadth of research required – but business history projects generally take eight to twelve months. We always discuss this aspect with our clients at the outset, considering milestone dates and launch events to establish a realistic outlook.
We know you are busy, and our streamlined approach minimises the demands on your time. The reflective and personal nature of these books does mean we require input and feedback at regular intervals, but clients often find the whole process enjoyable, satisfying and even, in some cases, cathartic.
Our experienced team and well-honed project management processes keep projects on track, while we remain flexible to embrace challenges and possibilities throughout.
We only have a few old photos lying around – is this really enough for a book?
It is often surprising to clients how our research process leads us down various lines of enquiry, revealing great imagery from unexpected sources.
When we contact long-term and valued staff for interviews, we also ask them to contribute any photos from their time at the business.
We always look for creative ways of introducing other engaging and relevant visual content. Through libraries, museums and press archives we can unearth not only images but records, newspaper clippings, advertisements and artefacts.
And sometimes, the old design adage that ‘less is more’ applies to collections, too – even with minimal photographic content, if the images are appropriate, we can make a story sing on the page.
Someone has already started writing a book on our business – are you able to adapt this work, or partner with our own writer?
Absolutely. Some of our commissions have been initiated after research and documentation has stalled, or even when a whole manuscript has been written but not properly published. Other clients have wanted us to work with their in-house or contracted writers.
Engaging and concise copy is very important to us, and we have a collaborative approach to ensure successful publishing of your book’s text – advising on story structure, providing astute editing of drafts, and proofreading the final product.
What are the minimum specs for a book?
Our hardcover books start at 40 pages (plus endpapers), a size well suited to slim-line souvenir books on sport and place.
As a rough guide for business histories, the majority range from 60 to 120 pages in length, but we can certainly handle larger productions – some books in our library total more than 300 pages. We’ve also created softcover booklets as compact as 24 pages, which can be appropriate for ‘smaller’ anniversaries.
Minimum print runs for all productions are 250 copies, with great economies of scale for runs of 500 or more books.
Every project has a different budget, audience, intention and, of course, a unique story to tell. The best way to know what specs are right for you is to drop us a line – we would love to chat!
How much does a project cost?
We work with our clients on achieving the ideal book for their budget.
Business histories are an investment in your organisation’s brand, culture and legacy – an investment that lasts well beyond an anniversary party or token gift. Books ensure that the story of your business is celebrated with authenticity and credibility, and is preserved for generations to come.
We take pride in every book we publish, we don’t take any shortcuts on quality, and we are dedicated to crafting the best solution for your story.
Can we sell our book?
Yes, you can – in fact, for clients in retail and customer-facing industries, we encourage it! We’ve created books for the likes of jewellers, wineries, truffières, museums and sporting associations who have gone on to sell books at their showrooms, cellar doors, stores and websites.
Not only does this get the story of the business on the coffee tables of valued customers and add credibility to the brand, it also creates a revenue stream that can offset the investment in the project.
We can help facilitate this by registering an official ISBN for your book and advising on a recommended retail price.
Do you publish traditional biographies or novels?
No, we don’t – we focus on creating high-end pictorial coffee table books. Our productions are typically curated collections of short stories, complemented by strong imagery and graphics.
Depending on the scope of your project, there are a number of other great publishers out there who will take on pitches for biographies and novels, as well as self-publishing resources – it’s just not our niche!
Do we own all the content once the project is finished?
We have a strong policy of transferring all possible rights to clients upon completion of the book – after all, it is your story!
This includes the text, structural framework and design elements.
For images that you own, we will provide you with the lovingly restored high-resolution versions used in the book. For photos and historical content subject to copyright by other rights-holders, we can assist you in sourcing any additional licences you might require for future reproduction.
Transferring these rights enables you to use this valuable material in other mediums after the book is published, including marketing and social media.
(Please note that while we transfer these rights, clients are responsible for ensuring compliance with any existing third-party rights or restrictions. Additionally, certain proprietary processes used in creating the book may remain the intellectual property of Churchill Press, unless otherwise agreed upon. Our team will work with you to address any specific needs or concerns regarding the use of the book’s content in other contexts.)
Backed by
Bonser Design.
Strategic Thinking. Creative Solutions.™
A unique feature of Churchill Press is that we incorporate the team at Bonser Design, a graphic design agency also established by Phil back in 1981. With this ‘in-house’ creative expertise, the principles of effective communication and excellence in presentation are central to every book project.
The agency specialises in the creation of powerful business brands, distinctive websites and engaging marketing material. A number of Churchill Press clients have gone on to position their business for success with the help of Bonser Design.
What our clients say.
For our family, The Story of J C Smale is a ‘gem’, capturing 60 years of our business and family life. For all who have worked and are working in the company it is a reminder of the innovation, dedication and loyalty needed to succeed. Every person and every business has a story – and if not recorded, in time it is lost. Thank you to all at Churchill Press for your professional assistance to ensure the J C Smale story was told and lives on.”
After 50 years of business, it is fantastic to capture it all in one book – especially the elements that are important to our family. Churchill Press facilitated the process, giving structure to a large task of looking through the archives and deciding which stories to highlight. We wanted to document the progression of the brand and highlight Alan’s amazing journey from goldsmith to entrepreneur. The end result is something we are pleased to showcase to our staff, both long-term and new, as well as our customers.”
Over my time at the Bradman Museum, we brought together a trove of photos, artefacts and information covering more than a century of women’s cricket. We wanted to share this with the world and begin to correct the imbalance in representation of women in the game. With the support of Wally Edwards and work of Churchill Press came this wonderful coffee table book. Clearing Boundaries remains the premier publication for the women’s game, and is a valuable resource for anyone interested in this important history. I am delighted to see today’s young players discover the publication, marvel at the inspirational images and read every story. I congratulate Churchill Press for their meticulous research and high-quality presentation.”
One spring day, Phil Bonser randomly dropped into the farm while I was working in the sheep yards, wanting to know more about our historic homestead which he discovered in another publication. Phil’s visit was very timely, as our family was at a point where we wanted to capture four generations of historical articles and photos crammed in cardboard boxes! With Phil’s passion for history, and excellent writing and design work by the team at Churchill Press, we put together Nardlah: A Property Portrait, documenting more than a century of the Thompsons in Western Australia. We proudly gift this uncomplicated yet beautiful book to our wonderful family and friends, as this story touches so many.”
It is an honour to launch India’s 71-Year Test. The history of Indian–Australian cricket goes deep, and once you read this book you will know where I’m coming from. You get goosebumps when you read it. The early stages: the Lala Armanaths coming here, the Vinoo Mankads coming here, Bradman playing against India, Vijay Hazare getting two hundreds in a Test – it’s fascinating, and it goes on and on. Some great players have performed extremely well in Australia over the years, and it is a rich history. This is a fantastic read.”
We entrusted Churchill Press to work with us on a very special project. Last year marked Hawaiian’s 30th anniversary, and we wanted to honour the milestone and the journey of the company through a high-quality coffee table book. From the conceptual stage right through to the published piece, Phil and the team were seamless to work with – keeping us on track every step of the process. The quality and design of the book brought our story to life and it will forever be treasured. We are thrilled with the end result.”
